Octu-Mom.......wait....what?

Article:
For most young parents, one newborn is hard enough work. For a new mother in California, a lone screaming infant would probably be a welcome respite.

As of Monday morning, when she gave birth to a set of healthy octuplets – only the second known case in the US – she has a chorus of eight hungry babies demanding to be fed and changed.

It took a team of 46 doctors and nurses five minutes to deliver the nature-defying brood via Caesarean section – with the eighth taking everyone in the maternity ward by surprise. The medical team took up four delivery rooms and conducted a relay race to get the babies from the mother and into the care of nurses as they popped out.

“We decided to proceed with the delivery in anticipation of seven babies. We had done some drills, some preliminary dry runs,” said Karen Maples, a member of the delivery team at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Centre, 17 miles southeast of Los Angeles. “Lo and behold, after we got to Baby G, which is what we expected, we were surprised by Baby H.”

Hospital officials said last night that all eight babies – nine weeks premature – were doing “very, very well”, with only three initially needing to be put on ventilators.

The mother, whose identity has not been revealed, checked into the hospital in the 23rd week of her pregnancy. She was in her 30th week on Monday when she gave birth to the six boys and two girls, weighing between 680 grams and 1.4 kilograms. In total, she had been carrying almost 11 kilograms of baby weight before the delivery.

Now she is preparing for a new biological feat: breastfeeding. Dr Maples said that the mother was “very excited about the health of her babies and she’s extremely happy”.

Midwives estimate that the octuplets will require a daunting 56 nappy changes per day, with each nappy costing about 20p – and that’s before the cost of food, clothes, cots, prams, car seats, rubber ducks and, eventually, college tuition.

The US Government estimates that the average American parent spends $269,520 (£191,298) raising a child from birth to 17. At this rate the mother of the octuplets could be facing a total childcare bill of more than $2.1 million by 2026 – before adjustments for inflation.

Medical experts said that the octuplets were unlikely to have been the result of natural reproduction. The mother had probably taken fertility drugs, they said, which have resulted in a boom in multiple births over recent years – mostly twins.

Richard Paulson, the director of the fertility programme at the University of Southern California, said that the children could face serious health risks, including breathing problems and neurological damage. The mother also had an increased risk of haemorrhage, he said.

“It’s a risky decision to try to have all eight babies,” he said. “I would not recommend it under any circumstances, but I respect a parent’s decision.” The octuplets – currently still namedby a letter from A to H – will probably remain in hospital for at least another two months, hospital officials said. The mother is expected to be released within a week. However, there is still the possibility that one or more of the newborns may need help with breathing, and more dangers await when they begin feeding.

The world’s first live octuplets were born in March 1967 in Mexico City. All died within 14 hours. In the US the first live octuplets were born in Houston in 1998, three months premature. The smallest died a week after the birth. The surviving siblings turned 10 in December.

Their parents, Nkem Chukwu and Iyke Louis Udobi, said that they were delighted to hear that another mother had managed the feat. “It’s a blessing, truly a blessing,” said Ms Chukwu. “We’ll keep praying for them.”

Reaction:

It's eight babies. Thats it. Eight babies, why is everyone making a huge deal about a women having eight babies. Yes, it is a medical miracle. All eight babies lived as well.

Wait. She already had six children.

And no job.

And a two bedroom house.

Who has 14 babies and no job?! Who in their right minds would inseminate a women who already had six children. Seriously. I realize that common sense fails some people but this is an obvious judgment call.

Seriously people. Thats some crowded sleeping arrangements.

And then she gets offered $1 million dollars to star in a porno flick.

What is wrong with the world.

Does Facebook lower grades?

Article:

University students who use Facebook spend less time studying and have lower averages compared to those who avoid the popular social networking site, researchers say.

Researchers surveyed 219 students at Ohio State University – 102 undergraduates and 117 graduates – in the summer and fall quarters of 2008. Of that total, 148 said they had Facebook accounts.

Facebook users were typically younger, full-time students majoring in statistics, technology, math, engineering and medicine, said study co-author Aryn Karpinski, a doctoral student and graduate teaching associate at Ohio State.

When it came to academic achievement, Facebook users surveyed had grade point averages between 3.0 and 3.5, a B, compared to non-users with GPAs between 3.5 and 4.0 – an A, said Karpinski.

What's more, researchers found those on Facebook spent one to five hours a week studying compared to non-users who devoted 11 to 15 hours weekly to hitting the books.

When asked whether Facebook had an impact on their academic performance, 79 per cent of users said it didn't. Students also said it didn't affect their grades because they weren't using it frequently enough – even though nearly 65 per cent said they use their account daily or multiple times daily.

"I totally agree you cannot say Facebook causes lower GPA or less time spent studying, but there is some kind of relationship there," Karpinski said. "I hope that the more people that research this area will tease apart the intricacies of this relationship."

My reaction:

I am completely not shocked by this. I can totally admit that I'm always on Facebook. In fact, I'm on Facebook right now. I also know that when I'm working on homework, I have to put myself on a computer that doesn't have connection to the internet.

The sad thing is, that this is never going to end. Whether it's Facebook, Perez Hilton, Toxic Hollywood and now Twitter. The need to be connected to the world is always going to be a problem.

The Comprehensive!!

So, for one of our exams we had to do something called a comprehensive. Basically, we choose a story topic and are given 7 hours to find three sources, interview them, get interviews, take specific pictures and get it all handed in. Seems pretty easy right?

Wrong.

Not only are we given this assignment on Easter Monday, but for some reason (still unknown to me) I chose a topic about the environment and what Easter hunts do to it. I didn't realize it at the time, but almost every single government has the day off, along with many other business's.

So I start off trying to reach the Chambers of Commerce, but it's not their fault that they had the day off. Then I called the Picton Fire Department, not too much luck there. Then I tried Greenpeace. They didn't have much to say on the topic. So basically, I was a chicken without many eggs.

The whole day left me feeling glass half empty, which is weird, because I am a glass half full kind of lady.

Afghanistan's new law---> My reaction!

Basically:

Even though this legislation has not yet been confirmed, there is word that the Afghan government is putting a new law in place that basically allows husbands to control their wives.
The law will make it illegal for Shia women to refuse sex from their husbands, leave the house without permission or have custody of children.
Karzai officials have not commented on the legislation yet, but it seems that Canada is demanding more information. Canada has a pull because they supposedly spent approximately $10 billion dollars ‘propping’ up the Karzani government.

My reaction:

I can’t even decide where to start responding to this, I’m still reeling from the fact that this legislation could pass, from the fact that this legislation could even exist. Yes, I do understand that cultures are different everywhere, and I may not understand or being to realize how their culture is run, but I personally feel extremely appalled by this.
I feel as thought Canada is responding wisely to this. I feel like they are not reacting until they are sure that this is going to happen. I feel they made a very dumb decision in spending up to $10 billion dollars on anything that has to do with Afghanistan. The only exception to that statement is if they are spending money to bring our troops home.

Pause to Play!

Twenty-three schools across the Hastings and Prince Edward County will be taking part in the Pause to Play event.

The event, which will be taking place March 30 to April 3, is aimed to get children to turn off screens, include TV, computer and video console screens.

“What we’re trying to do with the challenge is to get schools, students and families all pause the screens next week and get out and be active,” says Jennifer Ronan, public health nurse with the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit.

The goal is to have not only children, but adults as well, watch less then two hours of ‘screen time’ a day.

According to the media release, 90 per cent of children are not meeting Canada’s physical activity guidelines.

"Adults in our area also spend too much time sitting," says Ronan, "In our area, 44 per cent of adults reported that they are frequent television viewers, watching more than fifteen hours each week. That is 15 per cent higher than the Ontario average. Parents and other adults are important role models for children. When kids see adults make healthy choices, it helps them learn how to do the same.”

The event was formally, known as the TV Turnoff Challenge, has changed since last year. In the previous years, the event involved children watching absolutely no TV.

“Feedback suggested that although students tried it, five days without a screen was a little bit much, they found it hard. And there was also some research that showed the week after the challenge a lot of the kids ended up watching more TV. We decided that we needed to change it a little bit. We had more schools participate last year but the rates of return weren’t as great as we had hoped,” explains Ronan.


Rick Miller, a bus driver for Handley Buses, has a 9 year-old boy who attends Pinecrest Memorial Elementary School.

“On one hand, the event is a really good idea. But on the other hand, it seems like they are trying to control us. It’s like they’re telling us what we can and cannot do.”

According to the media release, the Pause to Play challenge is meant to raise awareness of the Canadian Paediatric Society recommendation that school-aged children spend less then two hours in front of a screen. It also encourages healthy living.

The Pause to Play event also has active events put in place for the event. There in a free public skate at the Dick Ellis Area on April 1 from 6-8p.m. There is also a Pause to Play challenge special from Quinte Bowl. They are offering free bowling; for every one adult bowl purchased, one child can bowl for free.

In the Stirling area, the Trent Valley Karate club is offering one free class of Karate, Jiu Jitsu or self defense on April 2.

For more events happening during the week, visit the What’s On calendar at the www.hpechu.on.ca website.


“I really think if the message gets out to parents and families that two hours or less is attainable, they can think, “you know what, I think we should do that.” I really hope that we will have a really successful challenge,” hopes Ronan.

Being professional

The following piece is an editorial that I wrote.



The old saying is: ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ but nowadays, it seems that’s what all employers are doing.
As students, we’re not necessarily well organized; we barely have enough time to eat lunch. But lately, we have internships or interviews coming up, and worrying about that is just another thing on our plate. So, what exactly is going to make internships or interviews a little easier? Being professional is the key.
The dictionary defines professionalism as “of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession”. If only it were that easy. If being connected to a profession meant that you were being professional, then everyone who works, including Joe Schmo, is professional. To most, however, professionalism comes down to three main indicators; a professional wardrobe, a professional attitude, and a professional mindset.
For most college students, the first thought that goes into getting dressed in the morning is finding the article of clothing that smells the cleanest. But as some students embark on internships, we have to think, what exactly is being professional going to cost us? We start our lives in September almost $3,000 in debt and then add in all the extra costs; bus fees, groceries, textbooks, etc. When the season comes for applying for internships comes around, most students are scrambling to get final assignments finished, not focusing on the latest issue of GQ or Vogue.
So, we have to think, what are employers looking for, with regards to dress? First off, at the initial interview, employers are so swamped they may disregard an applicant based on appearance. That is wrong and completely unfair but the intern-to-be would pay the price. Secondly, students and applicants should be mature enough to dress appropriately for the interview. Basic black pants and a nice shirt are always enough to seem put together without trying too hard. Now, after the interview is over, and the job is yours, where do you go from there? Send a quick message to your future employer thanking them for the interview and ask whether there is a dress code.
With a professional look, next comes the professional attitude. For some students, life so far has entailed getting up from a late night at pub, crawling out of bed and going to class. That is definitely not professional. As college students, if we miss a class, so what, we’re paying for it. If our assignment is late, so what, we’re paying for it. But this “so-what” attitude, will get you a job asking, “Would you like fries with that?” Remember, there are a lot of applicants for every good job.
Having a professional attitude is all about being serious. Having a mature outlook on experiences, such as college, can go a long way. It may seem like a lot of fun to go out with your friends on a Thursday night and have a few brews. But you may have to sacrifice a few nights out to get ahead. It may seem like being an adult is costing you, but taking that serious step and staying in for the night not only will save you money, it will help you adjust to new habits that will contribute to being professional and landing a job. Not only will you be ready to seize the day, teachers, other students and prospective employers will notice the change and take you seriously.
The next step is having a professional mindset. If you've applied for an internship and have been accepted, you need to prepare yourself. Life in the real world is a lot different than life at college. If an assignment isn't finished, employers are not going to just brush it off and let it slip. You will pay for the slip and possibly even be fired. Having a professional mindset will not only prepare you so no slips happen and your career can thrive.
Some people have a natural ability to have assignments and projects finished on time without breaking a sweat. However, others leave things until the last minute or let things pile up until they are so overwhelmed they can barely breathe. Here are some simple tips for remaining professional. Get a day planner or an organizer and use it. Remember to stop and breathe; if you let yourself get overwhelmed by everything, you’re just going to seem unprofessional and unorganized.
Believe in yourself. Doubting yourself is not the way to be taken seriously. Repeat the mantra “I can do it. I can handle anything they throw at me.” It will help you stay calm and give your all to the task at hand. Believing in yourself is the most important thing anyone can do when it comes to growing up.
The truth is, acting like a typical college kid isn't going to get you very far. Growing up is hard, but it pays off. Having the right look, the right attitude and the right mindset will help you make the transition between the typical sweatpants-and-dishevelled-hair college student to the sleek-pants-and-shoulders-back professional you are going to become.

International Womens Day

As part of an assignment, I am required to post five blogs. The following five blogs are work that I have written and have had published.


International Women’s Day is a day to bring women’s issues to the forefront.
This is something that Rahno Godfrey, the training education co-ordinator for Three Oaks Foundation believes.
“There is abuse going on every day and it is important to keep this information alight,” she says, ”Part of my job is to bring public awareness to that.”
Three Oaks Foundation is collaborating with Amnesty International, Canadian Federation of University Women Belleville and District and many other groups to organized an event on March 8 to celebrate women. From 2:30-4:30 p.m on March 8, Bridge Street United Church, which is located at 60 Bridge St., is holding Sharing the Caring for the Future, which will feature the very moving activist Mimi Kashira who is going to share information on the situation of women in Congo and her work with the Pastor Emmanuel Kashira Foundation.
The foundation was established to raise money to help victims of war in Kashira’s home city of Goma. Any donations help to put girls in schools and provide micro-credit loans for widows.
Mimi Kashira, who lived in Congo until her husband was a victim of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, passed away leaving her to feed and nurture two boys. She dealt with many obstacles to face the task of raising her sons. She is now devoting most of her time to help women in Congo.
International Women’s Day is a day intended for women everywhere to be acknowledged for everything they’ve done.
According to the International Women’s Day website, it all began in 1908, when women were becoming more vocal about change and as a result, 15,000 women marched through New York City to protest for voting rights, better wages and shorter hours.
The birth of International Women’s day took place in 1910, when more then 100 women from 17 countries came together at the International Conference of Working Women to represent unions, socialist parties, and working women’s clubs. The conference included three women ,who were part of the Finnish parliament, who supported Clara Zetkin’s idea for International Women’s Day. Zetkin was the leader of the ‘Women’s Office for the Social Democratic party in Germany.
According to the website, the following year, Zetkin’s idea for International Women’s Day took place for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19. More then one million men and women gathered together to protest for women’s rights. Some of the rights protested for included the right to work, the right to vote, to be trained and to end discrimination.
Disturbingly less then a week later, on March 25, more then 140 women working were murdered in the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City. The fire happened March 25, 1911 and was said to be the worst workplace disaster until Sept. 11, 2001. Most of the lives lost in the Triangle fire were of Italian or Jewish decent. The silver lining of this event is that from the tragedies, attention was brought to the working conditions and labour legislation.
As a result of the contributions that women fought for, the popularity of International Women’s Day has continued to grow. For years after the ‘Triangle Fire’, the day continued to flourish, with the United Nations holding annual International Women’s Day conferences to help organize efforts for women’s rights.
According to the website, in 1975, the United Nations declared this year International Women’s Year. Organizations and governments around the world noticed that large events were being held throughout the world on March 8, and those events continued to honour women’s advancements while still reminding the world of the vigilance and action that women were still making to ensure advancement.
According to the International Women’s Day website, International Women’s Day is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. IWD is seen as a day to award mothers, daughters, grandmothers and friends with flowers and small gifts.
Godfrey thinks that International Women’s Day is extremely important.
“I hope that everyone will join us to help change the happen.”